Part Three
The following afternoon they were in Charms class with the Slytherins. Charms was taught by the tiny Professor Flitwick, whom most found adorable; not the Slytherins, though. They were just about to finish their review of Charms covered last year, as a refresher so they could build on them this year. Professor McGonagall poked her head in the doorway.
"Excuse me, Professor Flitwick, could I borrow Wood for a moment?" she asked as Oliver gave his friends a very confused look.
"Yes, yes of course Professor," he answered cheerfully.
"We'll take notes for you," Angelica assured him.
"Ah- Okay, thank you," Oliver said as he got up and walked out the door.
"I hope he's not in trouble," Jonathan whispered.
"I don't think he could be, he's sort of a model student," mentioned Fiona.
Later that day Angelica was curled up in a comfy chair, doing homework in the common room. Jonathan had taken Fiona to the Owlry to visit his small barn owl, Doola.
"Fred! George!" Oliver said with a huge grin as he practically skipped in from the portrait hole. The common room was empty except for Fred and George Weasley, who were beaters for the Quidditch team, and Angelica. "Angelica, come here too," he said, grabbing her arm and pulling her to join them in a close circle. "I have some huge news, but you must promise not to breathe a word about it. Okay? Well. We have a new Seeker."
The Weasley twins, who had been playing a game of Wizard's chess, ignored their pieces (which were viciously attacking one another) and their jaws dropped. "Who is it?" they asked in unison.
"Harry Potter," Oliver replied in a low voice.
"So that's what Professor McGonagall wanted to see you about today," added Angelica.
"Yes," he nodded. "But, we've got to keep this quiet." And then he smiled at Angelica "I love you guys!" he gave Angelica a quick kiss on the cheek and started to leave. "See you at dinner."
"Woah, Harry Potter must be bloody brilliant!" exclaimed George.
"Yeah, I reckon he might be better than Charlie was!" Fred added, speaking of their older brother who left school the year before. Then he paused and looked at Angelica "Well, I'm glad I'm not you!" and then the twins roared with laughter.
The days after that soon went by, what with Oliver's secret after-school Quidditch practices, and homework piling up, everyone was thankful when Halloween arrived because that meant the amazing decorations and ever better, a feast! But before the feast began they had another Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. By this time rumors were circulating that Quirrell's stuttering and the horrible garlic smell that followed him came from fear of a vampire he met while in Albania on his travels. Once again Angelica was called to have a post-class meeting, but this time was a little different. Quirrell waited until the room was empty.
"Professor Quirrell, what did you need to see me about?" Angelica asked.
He tried to smile. "Please, c-call me Q-Quirinus. I-i have h-h-heard there a-are some rumors go-going around ab-bout me. B-but you know n-n-not to believe them, r-r-right Angie?"
Angelica wasn't sure how to respond. She didn't want to set him off like she had at the start of the term, but she didn't want to lie and say she knew what was truthful about him anymore.
That evening it was time for the annual Halloween feast to begin. The Great Hall was filled with a thousand live bats and floating jack-o'-lanterns. The feast had just appeared on the golden platters when Professor Quirrell made a mad dash into the hall. He looked terrified and half-dead.
"T-t-troll - in the d-dungeons! Thought you ought to know."
He then sank into a dead faint. Everyone began screaming hysterically, not knowing what else to do.
"Quirinus!" Angelica shrieked, looking positively ill. She attempted to run to his side but Fiona grabbed her wrist and tugged her the other way.
"What are you doing? We have to get out of here!"
"But I don't want Quirinus to be dead! I have to help him! He trusts me" Angelica looked on the verge of tears.
Professor Dumbledore demanded the prefects lead their housemates to the dormitories immediately. But Angelica didn't want to leave Quirrell. Dumbledore had also issued orders to the staff to get their wands and meet in the dungeons. Somehow Snape knew what Angelica was thinking and muttered nastily as he walked by the Gryffindor table "I'm sure the headmaster will -er- take care of Quirrell perfectly well, Morrissey."
But somehow that thought didn't help. Percy was very excited to lead the Gryffindors to safety, saying such things as "No need to fear the troll if you follow my orders," and "Excuse me! I'm a Prefect!" When they finally reached the common room everyone was still very frantic and amidst the chaos and confusion Angelica sprinted up to the fifth year Gryffindor girls' dormitory. It was dark and empty, only lit by the moonlight shining through the window. Angelica collapsed on her fluffy four post bed and pulled the red velvet curtains shut, so no one could see her crying.
Fiona rushed in minutes later. She sighed. "Angelica? Are you alright?"
"Mmmm." Angelica mumbled, slowly peeking her head out from behind the curtains. "I want to go back there and see if he's okay" she said softly.
"I know you do. But there's really no chance of you being able to do that now. Come with me downstairs, we're finishing the feast there and besides, you couldn't sneak out past Mr. Prefect if you wanted to."
Angelica let out a weak laugh and followed Fiona back to the common room and took their places beside their friends.